Brazil looks north

摘要

Brazil is no longer a sleeping giant in the world of beef production - and Brazilians are ready to stretch their muscles. You'll probably never meet Marcos Minghini, Liza de Paulo or Joao Vinicis Pratini de Moraes. But, the trio represents a loomingcompetitive threat to U.S. beef producers. Minghini is a Brazilian cattle farmer, while de Paulo is a scientist for a large Brazilian agribusiness. Pratini de Moraes is Brazil's agriculture minister and may be the most powerful, yet underrated, agripolitico in the world. Already boasting the planet's largest commercial cattle herd, Brazil is clearly a formidable player in today's international beef market. But, with 165 million cattle currently grazing 370 million acres, Brazil could put another 180 million-200 million acres into production - "without cutting down a single tree," as Pratini de Moraes says. These areas of undeveloped savanna equal the size of France and Germany - or Texas and New Mexico.